College & Careers – A Letter to Students and Parents

May 18, 2015

by Michael B. Watson, published in Roanoke Times, May 17, 2015

As June approaches, you may be contemplating post high school plans. Writing as an employer, former legislator, and dad, I’d like to share an observation and perhaps open your mind to careers that you may not be considering today.

A decade ago, I stood before a Jamestown classroom discussing opportunities for men and women with craft skills. As the owner of a growing technology firm, I’d seen the number of qualified applicants progressively diminish. My customers, manufacturers in a range of industries, found the same. Later, as a member of the House of Delegates and Virginia’s Manufacturing Development Commission, employers told us that the lack of a skilled workforce would prohibit their building or expanding here. Today, as I visit customers it’s clear that the issue and opportunities remain prevalent.

In the last sixty days, I’ve met with a handful of manufacturers and service firms that combined are seeking over 40 employees with skills in one of a few trades, among them electrical, mechanical, welding, and instrumentation. Two companies are developing their own apprentice programs to supplement their workforce. Of the 40, the lowest paying position starts at $42,000 and most pay in the range of $55K – $75K with experience; some go much higher. Yet, as I look at the majors offered by our 4-year universities, few provide the training necessary to fill these positions. For a fraction of the cost and half the time however, you can get a qualifying degree at many of Virginia’s community colleges.

I know what you’re thinking. Why go to a community college if I can get into a university? Here are four reasons: little to no debt, hit the job market sooner, higher starting salary, less likely to move back to your old bedroom four years later. To be clear, Virginia’s universities rank among the nation’s best and each offers credentials for a highly successful career. But, we also rank among the most expensive while the majority of students pursue majors in lower paying fields. CollegeFactual.com shows that of the ten most popular university majors, only two have a starting or mid-career salary higher than the jobs I mention here.

How can that be you ask; aren’t community colleges for those who can’t get into a university? No, but I understand why you think that. Theoretical actors on The Big Bang Theory, elitists, even school counselors and peers often place more emphasis on the college you attend than the career you achieve. You’ll hear ‘not everyone is cut out for a 4-year school’ yet many community college students are cut out for anything they want and choose to pursue an education that provides a marketable skill. That’s what I did, earning an associate degree in Instrumentation Technology from New River Community College. It is not something I settled on; it’s exactly what I wanted.

Once a political opponent proclaimed that he’d “make Richmond smarter”, a thinly veiled suggestion that his 4-year liberal arts degree was indicative of superior intellect. I’ll leave others to judge how Richmond fared. In regards to careers however I’ve been fortunate, never once unemployed or having to look for a job after graduation; every employer has found me. My 2-year degree prepared me to start a successful company, create over a hundred jobs, and provide high demand technical services on three continents, all initiated through training at a Virginia Community College. Your degree along with experience in this field could garner a high paying job in any state and many countries in a matter of days.

Last year I was appointed to the Advisory Committee on Higher Education for the House Education Committee. Our first order of business was to tackle tuition costs and student debt. I’ve proposed several suggestions but the one that offers the greatest potential would improve communications between employers, counselors, and colleges so they can offer real-world career and college guidance. This summer families will travel campus to campus, students picturing themselves hopping in stands wearing team colors while pursuing a major that’s unlikely to produce an income that justifies the debt.

Having viewed this phenomenon through various lenses, I offer this to parents. Consideration of return-on-investment does not make you insensitive; rather it’s a practical approach to a consequential decision. As a dad, I urge students to consider what you enjoy first, identify a related career next, then with a debt free degree and good paying job you’ll go to any game wearing whichever color you wish.

Michael B. Watson is President of Control Automation Technologies Corporation, a Former Member of Virginia’s House of Delegates, 93rd District, and a member of the Advisory Committee on Higher Education for the House Committee on Education